Lt. Gov. Treadwell Announces National Voter Registration Day

Published: September 25, 2012

September 25, 2012, Anchorage, AK – Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell joined states across the nation in announcing Alaska’s participation in National Voter Registration Day.

“From what we can tell, at least 20,000 eligible Alaskans aren’t registered to vote,” Lt. Gov. Treadwell said. “And of those registered, only about 25% voted in the primary election last month. We can do better.”

October 7 is the deadline to register to vote in the November 6 General Election. Alaskans who turn 18 before Election Day must also register by October 7.

Registration forms are available online at www.elections.alaska.gov, at Division of Elections offices, many public libraries or high schools, and municipal or borough clerks’ offices. Information on absentee and early voting is available on the Division’s website.

Treadwell is tackling the problem from all fronts to make registration and voting an even easier process.

Treadwell sent letters to 4,000 Alaskans who turned 18 this year, reminding them to register. He wrote to high school principals, encouraging participation in the National Mock Elections on November 1. The Division of Elections runs a Youth Vote Ambassador Program, where students 16 and older help register eligible voters, educate their peers on the elections process, and can work or volunteer as poll workers.

The Lt. Governor’s office and the Division of Elections have worked with military personnel on registration drives, establishing voting locations on bases, and instituting electronic ballot delivery for deployed soldiers and Alaskans overseas.

New voter ID cards with a QR code allow voters to use smart phones for personal information on polling places, sample ballots, an election pamphlet, and early and absentee-in-person voting locations.